[PDF][PDF] Molecular motor KIF5A is essential for GABAA receptor transport, and KIF5A deletion causes epilepsy

K Nakajima, X Yin, Y Takei, DH Seog, N Homma… - Neuron, 2012 - cell.com
K Nakajima, X Yin, Y Takei, DH Seog, N Homma, N Hirokawa
Neuron, 2012cell.com
KIF5 (also known as kinesin-1) family members, consisting of KIF5A, KIF5B, and KIF5C, are
microtubule-dependent molecular motors that are important for neuronal function. Among
the KIF5s, KIF5A is neuron specific and highly expressed in the central nervous system.
However, the specific roles of KIF5A remain unknown. Here, we established conditional
Kif5a-knockout mice in which KIF5A protein expression was postnatally suppressed in
neurons. Epileptic phenotypes were observed by electroencephalogram abnormalities in …
Summary
KIF5 (also known as kinesin-1) family members, consisting of KIF5A, KIF5B, and KIF5C, are microtubule-dependent molecular motors that are important for neuronal function. Among the KIF5s, KIF5A is neuron specific and highly expressed in the central nervous system. However, the specific roles of KIF5A remain unknown. Here, we established conditional Kif5a-knockout mice in which KIF5A protein expression was postnatally suppressed in neurons. Epileptic phenotypes were observed by electroencephalogram abnormalities in knockout mice because of impaired GABAA receptor (GABAAR)-mediated synaptic transmission. We also identified reduced cell surface expression of GABAAR in knockout neurons. Importantly, we identified that KIF5A specifically interacted with GABAAR-associated protein (GABARAP) that is known to be involved in GABAAR trafficking. KIF5A regulated neuronal surface expression of GABAARs via an interaction with GABARAP. These results provide an insight into the molecular mechanisms of KIF5A, which regulate inhibitory neural transmission.
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